Full Details: Mazda MX-5 Miata ND2

By David S. Wallens
Aug 2, 2018

It’s a common request for Mazda: More power for the Miata, please.

It’s one we have been hearing for nearly 30 years and, has tradition has shown, Mazda replies partway through each model generation. Well, it’s time for the ND-chassis MX-5 to get its bump. For the 2019 model year, horsepower goes from 155 to 181, a 17-percent improvement. Also improved: Redline has been increased from 6800 rpm to 7500.

The good news: We just drove a 2019 MX-5 Club equipped with Brembos and Recaros.

The bad news: Mazda has asked that all driving impressions be held until August 13 in order to keep things fair for all of their invited guests.

But, of course, there are things that we can still tell you.

Yes, you can rev the new engine to 7500 rpm.

According to Mazda’s charts and graphs, horsepower is up everywhere.

The gearing hasn’t been changed on the cars equipped with a manual gearbox–same ratios in the transmission and the rear end.

In second gear, the fuel cutoff occurs at 59 to 60 mph as indicated by our GPS receiver.

What helps the revised engine make more power? The throttle body is larger–Mazda says it’s 28 percent bigger, in fact.

The intake manifold also features shorter, fatter runners. The exhaust ports are now bigger. The exhaust header has received larger tubes. The new exhaust cam is more aggressive. The pistons have been lightened by 27 grams, while the connecting rods lost 41 grams. There’s a new lightweight, dual-mass flywheel as well–yes, dual-mass.

More updates: Lower piston domes help the tumble flow of the air-fuel mixture. The direct injection can deliver shorter pulses, meaning up to three pulses per combustion cycle–before that max was two. The crankshaft didn’t lose weight, but it’s now stiffer.

Another side benefit: fuel economy is up 1 mpg.

More answers to questions: The Club model continues, although it can now be had with leather-trimmer seats on the Brembo/BBS package.

Also new for 2019: standard tilt and telescoping steering wheel (it only adds half a pound to the total, we’re told) plus backup cameras across the model range.

The exhaust has been retuned to deliver a sportier exhaust note.

Also, also new: a GT-S Package that marries the GT’s fancy appointments with the Club’s Bilstein dampers and limited-slip differential.

According to Mazda’s figures, weight is up, with the curb weight for the stick-shift car going from 2332 pounds all the way to 2339 pounds.

How much? So far, Mazda has only announced pricing for the MX-5 RF. Starting MSRP: $32,345.

Well, I will be done school in 2020. Hopefully I can grab one and use the college grad discount for a bit better price... I wonder if I can stack that on my Mazda Motorsports plan price. One can always hope...

The ND1 was already a force to be reckoned with in C/Street and STR. Seems like, barring the improvements being better on paper than in practice, it is posed to really dominate those classes now.

If it really is as much better as I suspect it is, it’ll either dominate CS/STR beyond any reasonable competition or SCCA will look at reclassing it. The ND is already very, very good. Good enough a buddy of mine with a nearly perfect STR NC is giving up and either going Hoosiers or selling the car at the end of this year.

The ND1 was already a force to be reckoned with in C/Street and STR. Seems like, barring the improvements being better on paper than in practice, it is posed to really dominate those classes now.

If it really is as much better as I suspect it is, it’ll either dominate CS/STR beyond any reasonable competition or SCCA will look at reclassing it. The ND is already very, very good. Good enough a buddy of mine with a nearly perfect STR NC is giving up and either going Hoosiers or selling the car at the end of this year.

Yeah, SCCA will probably do some boneheaded move like move it to A/Street and not let it run in Street Touring

The more I hear about these, the more I like them. My goal is to not go to a Mazda dealer and drive one of these because if I did, I'm fairly sure I'd buy one and I don't need a new car right now.

The only saving grace for me the last time I was in a Mazda dealer was that their only ND in stock was an automatic. I'm sure it's still fantastic to drive, but I have no love or much use for torque converter autos these days. Makes me wonder how much longer it will be before DCT's will be the norm.

$48k ish when spec'ed how I'd like it. The combo comes in well below the $100k mark prior to taxes and tags, but there's nothing else new that I'd consider to displace either of them in a 2 car garage.

The more I hear about these, the more I like them. My goal is to not go to a Mazda dealer and drive one of these because if I did, I'm fairly sure I'd buy one and I don't need a new car right now.

The only saving grace for me the last time I was in a Mazda dealer was that their only ND in stock was an automatic. I'm sure it's still fantastic to drive, but I have no love or much use for torque converter autos these days. Makes me wonder how much longer it will be before DCT's will be the norm.

On your original sentiment, I'm in that exact same boat.

I doubt they will with advances in torque converter autos. Even BMW has gone back to regular autos in non-M cars.

The more I hear about these, the more I like them. My goal is to not go to a Mazda dealer and drive one of these because if I did, I'm fairly sure I'd buy one and I don't need a new car right now.

The only saving grace for me the last time I was in a Mazda dealer was that their only ND in stock was an automatic. I'm sure it's still fantastic to drive, but I have no love or much use for torque converter autos these days. Makes me wonder how much longer it will be before DCT's will be the norm.

On your original sentiment, I'm in that exact same boat.

I doubt they will with advances in torque converter autos. Even BMW has gone back to regular autos in non-M cars.

I was constantly impressed by my dads 2012 Infiniti 7 speed auto. Real auto. I don't know that I could have shifted as fast as it did, and it was always in the right gear.

The more I hear about these, the more I like them. My goal is to not go to a Mazda dealer and drive one of these because if I did, I'm fairly sure I'd buy one and I don't need a new car right now.

The only saving grace for me the last time I was in a Mazda dealer was that their only ND in stock was an automatic. I'm sure it's still fantastic to drive, but I have no love or much use for torque converter autos these days. Makes me wonder how much longer it will be before DCT's will be the norm.

On your original sentiment, I'm in that exact same boat.

I doubt they will with advances in torque converter autos. Even BMW has gone back to regular autos in non-M cars.

I was constantly impressed by my dads 2012 Infiniti 7 speed auto. Real auto. I don't know that I could have shifted as fast as it did, and it was always in the right gear.

The 8L90E in the Corvettes is also a hell of a piece of technology. I much prefer the auto C7s to the stick-shift cars.

The more I hear about these, the more I like them. My goal is to not go to a Mazda dealer and drive one of these because if I did, I'm fairly sure I'd buy one and I don't need a new car right now.

The only saving grace for me the last time I was in a Mazda dealer was that their only ND in stock was an automatic. I'm sure it's still fantastic to drive, but I have no love or much use for torque converter autos these days. Makes me wonder how much longer it will be before DCT's will be the norm.

On your original sentiment, I'm in that exact same boat.

Drive one, you may change your tune. 6-speeds, fairly quick upshifts by the steering wheel buttons/handle, throttle blips on downshifts, same gearing as the manual and more enjoyable in traffic.

The more I hear about these, the more I like them. My goal is to not go to a Mazda dealer and drive one of these because if I did, I'm fairly sure I'd buy one and I don't need a new car right now.

The only saving grace for me the last time I was in a Mazda dealer was that their only ND in stock was an automatic. I'm sure it's still fantastic to drive, but I have no love or much use for torque converter autos these days. Makes me wonder how much longer it will be before DCT's will be the norm.

On your original sentiment, I'm in that exact same boat.

Drive one, you may change your tune. 6-speeds, fairly quick upshifts by the steering wheel buttons/handle, throttle blips on downshifts, same gearing as the manual and more enjoyable in traffic.

I'm sure they're not bad, but there are things you can do with a clutch that an auto simply cannot do. Driving my Supra at the autocross is all the proof I need of that. But for those that just want a fun car, it's great to hear that the auto is finally a viable option for those that wouldn't have a manual for whatever reason.

I have heard good things on the newer 8 and 10 speed GM and Ford units, but none of them are in anything I'd be in the market for.

The biggest gripe I have with the club/sport is the wind noise coming in from the top when it's up. I don't think they've addressed this? I haven't driven a GT model, but the top on the Fiat 124 completely solves the problem.

I had read that too, but I recently read something which suggested the Fiat has an aluminum panel inside the fabric too (Edit: Found the link: "Most important, the folding soft top has a piece of aluminum sewn into it, as well as foam padding." https://www.motortrend.com/cars/fiat/124-spider/2017/2017-fiat-124-spider-first-drive-review/. ) I've never read this before in reference to either top. This makes me wonder if there's a bigger difference (?). Can anyone confirm or deny definitively?

I know you have a driving report embargo, but what about a simple yes or no answer compared to the 2018? Is the 2019 so much better than you would better be served by waiting, even if the local dealer has the 2018 Club RFs marked $7k off?

I had read that too, but I recently read something which suggested the Fiat has an aluminum panel inside the fabric too (Edit: Found the link: "Most important, the folding soft top has a piece of aluminum sewn into it, as well as foam padding." https://www.motortrend.com/cars/fiat/124-spider/2017/2017-fiat-124-spider-first-drive-review/. ) I've never read this before in reference to either top. This makes me wonder if there's a bigger difference (?). Can anyone confirm or deny definitively?

My ND LE (aka as ND1 as one can get) has a panel inside the first third of the roof. I think it's aluminium, but I haven't dug into that.